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Affordable iPhone 16 case with built-in kickstand and MagSafe
ESR Kickstand case
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Under $20 iPhone 16 MagSafe case with kickstand
Caseology Capella Mag Kickstand
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Which is the best iPhone 16 case overall?
I've been testing iPhone cases since the iPhone 4, and there's no shortage of new cases for this year's iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models. It's always hard to declare one case better than all the rest because there are so many good ones out there, but if I had to pick one brand for the top spot, I'd say Otterbox (it makes several different iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro cases -- I've highlighted a few of my favorite styles below). I've also long been a fan of Speck cases.
Note that Apple has changed the design of the cameras and added new programmable action button on the iPhone 16 and changed the lens configuration for the cameras on back, so iPhone 15 and iPhone 14 cases won't fit the iPhone 16. The same is true for the iPhone 16 Pro models, which are slightly larger than their predecessors and add a camera control button (the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus also have it).
Because people's preferences vary widely, I've included a wide variety of options in this list, ranging from value picks to tougher premium cases and slimmer models. Apple-branded iPhone cases are typically solid options, but beware of knockoffs. They look and feel similar but tend to show wear and tear more quickly. I'll update this list as I test more iPhone 16 and 16 Pro cases.
Pros
- Slim but protective
- Easy to grip and comfortable in hand
- MagSafe compatible
- Durable
- Partially made from recycled material or cactus leather
Otterbox returns with its usual expansive lineup of cases for the iPhone 16. In terms of toughness, the Defender Series XT and Defender Series Pro top the line. But even the slimmer Figura, Symmetry Series Clear and OtterGrip Symmetry Series have excellent drop protection.
I remain a fan of the Symmetry Series Soft Touch for MagSafe (pictured left), which has a nice, grippy soft-to-the-touch finish that's similar to what you get with the highly likable Core Series cases Otterbox made for the iPhone 14. I also like the Lumen Series (pictured right), a clear case that has eye-catching iridescent accents in its MagSafe components.
For me, another favorite Otterbox case for the iPhone 16 is the Symmetry Series Cactus Leather (pictured center), which incorporates a cactus-based leather substitute in its design (Otterbox says the faux leather is organically grown and sustainably harvested from nopal cactus). The cases have a nice textured grip to them and are available in attractive color options. In my tests, the cases have held up well and are fairly scratch-resistant.
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Pros
- ClickLock system enables secure fit for Speck accessories
- Good protection in an attractive design
- Antimicrobial protection
- Speck offers discounts for first-time buyers
Speck has brought many of its iPhone 15 case designs to the iPhone 16, including such popular transparent models as the Presidio Perfect-Clear and Perfect-Clear Grips and the Presidio2 Pro. It's also returns its ClickLock case system that's built on MagSafe: It's compatible with any MagSafe accessory but has an interlocking system that secures Speck's ClickLock accessories to your case. In addition to adhering to the case magnetically, the accessories -- which range in price from $30 to $40 -- click into a little slot. It's not so different from Peak Design's locking system, but Speck's cases are superior and are more MagSafe accessory-friendly.
For people who own the larger and heavier iPhone 16 Plus or 16 Pro Max, it can be hard to depend on your phone staying on a MagSafe car mount, especially if you hit a bump. That's where Speck's ClickLock car vent mount helps. The wallet accessory stays stuck on the back of your phone; you don't have to worry about it slipping off when you put your phone in your pocket.
All the new Speck models have good drop protection (13 to 16 feet, depending on the model) as well as Speck's Microban antimicrobial protection. No matter which model you choose, Speck often gives a discount for first-time buyers purchasing through its website.
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Pros
- Soft, grippy finish
- Comes with a built-in kickstand
- Kickstand doubles as lens protector
- Well-priced
Cons
- Portrait mode with kickstand is not so vertical
ESR Kickstand cases aren't your typical cases with an integrated kickstand. That's because the kickstand doesn't flip out of the backside of the case at the bottom. Instead, it serves as a protective ring around your camera lenses when it's retracted and not in use (ESR calls it a foldable stash stand). You'll find other generic cases on Amazon with a design like this, but ESR stands out for having a more premium feel to its value cases.
Note that you can get the case in a soft silicone version, a thicker tough version (it really is tough) and a simple clear version. I like the soft silicone version, but the clear case is the most affordable, selling for around $15. I can't vouch for the clear version not yellowing over time, but it is a decent budget option.
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Pros
- Fairly slim yet highly protective
- Several styles available
- Very good drop protection
- MagSafe compatible
- Improved kickstand
A few years back Zagg bought British case-maker Gear4 and continued selling Gear4 cases under the original brand name. With the introduction of the iPhone 15, Gear4 cases officially become Zagg cases, but the quality hasn't changed -- they're right up there with OtterBox and Speck, all of them featuring beveled edges to protect your phone and now infused with graphene for extra durability. For the iPhone 16, Zagg has improved the design of its integrated kickstand for models that feature one -- I like the Denali with kickstand (pictured left) and the Crystal Palace with kickstand (picture right). I'm also a fan of the Milan Snap in iridescent (pictured middle left) and the new London Snap (center right), which comes in a variety of designs with a raised fabric exterior. Several other case styles are available with eye-catching designs and strong drop protection.
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Pros
- MagSafe compatibility for less
- Multiple color options and styles
- Tactile, easy-to-press buttons
Cons
- The clear option may yellow over time despite having UV protection
- Not super protective
Spigen is known for its value cases for smartphones and it returns with its usual assortment of cases for the iPhone 16 series, including slim clear cases and slightly thicker cases in its Tough Armor and Rugged Armor that offer a little more protection. If you're looking for an inexpensive clear MagSafe case for your new iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Pro models, Spigen's Ultra Hybrid MagFit is a good value for less than $20. I like some of the Ultra Hybrid models that have computer component accents integrated into them. These include the Ultra Hypbrid Analogue (pictured), Zero One and Neo One.
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Pros
- More stylish than Spigen cases
- Frosted matte colors are nice
- Reinforced curved bumpers
- MagSafe compatible
Cons
- Cost a little more than Spigen cases
Cyrill is a sister brand to Spigen, and its cases are arguably slightly more stylish, although they cost a few bucks more, too. The UltraSheer Mag is semi-translucent frosted matte finish. It also comes in a few other design options, though note that unless you get one of the solid colors, the designs are stuck onto the surface of the case (they're essentially stickers that are similar to what Casetify does with its cases, which have become very expensive).
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Pros
- Highly protective and durable
- Great for mounting
- Very strong MagSafe compatible magnets (even stronger now)
Cons
- Mounts sold separately
- Pricey
Rokform's been making tough iPhone cases for years, and aside from their durability, their key feature is the ability to use them with various mounts, including bike and motorcycle mounts, that are sold separately. Aside from their mounting system, the other key feature is they're equipped with arguably the strongest magnets for MagSafe accessories. I used both the Rokform Crystal and Rugged case with Apple's FineWoven Wallet and the wallet stuck to the cases more securely than with any cases I've tested (I prefer the Crystal case just because I like the look of it better).
Rokform's iPhone 16 cases have removable magnets, and they're compatible with wireless charging if you remove the included center magnet. "With the lower magnet still intact, you can still wireless-charge while utilizing magnetic mounting and all of our mounts," Rokform says.
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Pros
- Multiple kickstand styles to choose from
- Soft-touch finish (except for clear cases)
- MagSafe compatible
- Decent drop protection
Cons
- Hard to choose which kickstand option is the best
Torras makes several cases with integrated kickstands, but they each have their own style of stand. They include a Slim Fit case with a retractable kickstand ring around the camera and its standard Ostand case, which has a retractable ring around the MagSafe ring. New for the iPhone 16 is its 360-degree Spin Magnetic Stand case that's similar to the Ostand case but the ring swivels 360 degrees.
Aside from the clear versions of the cases, which feature a hard plastic design, most of the other versions have a soft-touch finish that offers good grip. MagSafe accessories adhere securely to the cases and they also feature good drop protection (with the exception of the the Slim Fit case, which is rather slim). Prices for Torras cases start around $22 and go up to around $45.
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Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Slim design
- MagSafe compatible
- Built-in kickstand
Cons
- Clear option may yellow over time (though it has UV protection)
- Not super protective
Caseology makes some decent budget cases, including the Athlex Mag, Parallax, Dual Grip Mag and Capella Mag, all of which cost less than $20. Its Capella Mag Kickstand is one of the cheaper transparent MagSafe cases we've seen that has a built-in kickstand that retracts into the case when not in use so you can attach MagSafe accessories. You can see all of Caseology's iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro cases here.
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Pros
- High-quality vegan leather
- Nice texture with decent grip
- MagSafe-enabled
- Pairs well with Moft's MagSafe accessories
Moft makes some nice MagSafe accessories, including wallets that convert into kickstands and an iPhone Tripod Stand. Its cases are also well-designed and attractive. It sells a very slim clear MagSafe case called the Invisible Case for $40, but I like its faux leather Movas cases, which list for $50 but sometimes sell for $40. (Vegan leather is designed to look and feel like real leather but is synthetic.) You can see the company's full suite of cases and accessories here, including its new Creator kit that bundles a Movas case with a wallet stand, tripod stand and lanyard.
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Pros
- Trusted brand for leather cases
- Cases available at multiple price points
Cons
- MagSafe options are more expensive
- A leather patina look might not be for everyone
Apple isn't making leather cases for the iPhone 16, but others, including Nomad, still are. Nomad's line of leather cases for the iPhone 16 once again come in two grades of leather: the standard variety and a higher-end Horween that costs $20 more ($70 rather than $50). At least the Horween version is designed to develop a "rugged" patina as the oils from your skin interact with the leather over time. The Modern Leather Case is available in black, brown, English tan and a lighter natural color that I like. They're rated for 10-foot (3-meter) drop protection and are equipped with MagSafe. I also like Modern Leather Folio wallet case, but once again the one drawback to the Folio case is that it doesn't convert into a kickstand like some wallet cases do.
There's also a more affordable Sport version for $50 that's equipped with MagSafe as well. It's not a leather case, but it does look pretty slick. Additionally, Nomad offers the Rugged Case with "fortified" bumpers and 15-foot drop protection for $60 with MagSafe.
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Pros
- Slim yet protective
- Several eye-catching styles available
- Very good drop protection
- MagSafe compatible
Now owned by Incipio, Incase has been making iPhone cases for many years (Griffin is also part of Incipio). I don't love all of its new cases for the iPhone 16, but a few stand out, including the Level (pictured left), Halo (pictured center), Facet (pictured right), all of which feature 10-foot drop protection and come in multiple design options.
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Pros
- Fairly slim yet highly protective
- Several eye-catching styles available
- Very good drop protection
- MagSafe compatible
Much of Incipio's case lineup for the iPhone 14 returns for the iPhone 15. These include old favorites like the Grip with MagSafe, sturdy Duo with MagSafe (12-foot drop protection) and AeroGrip with MagSafe.
I like the new Cru case in faux leather, pictured left (it also comes in a canvas material but I prefer the faux leather). Another favorite is the Forme, which comes in some cool designs, two of which are pictured here (middle and right). Incipio cases start at $25 for a non-MagSafe case and $35, $45 and $50 or more for cases with MagSafe.
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Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Innovative kickstand design
- Groovy colors
Cons
- No MagSafe on The Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 or Vol. 2
- Faux-leather options look a little cheap
Smartish's affordable, simple, slim cases and wallet cases return for the iPhone 16. The Wallet Slayer Vol. 2 case (pictured) comes in a few different designs beyond the the basic black shown here (Smartish could do a better job offering better color options). It holds three credit cards plus cash, and you can use one of your credit cards as a kickstand. Its one downside is that it's not compatible with wireless and MagSafe chargers.
Smartish also sells a MagSafe case called the Gripmunk. It's one of the more affordable MagSafe cases (around $20) and is easy to grip, as its name implies.
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Pros
- Sleek and thin
- Multiple color options
- MagSafe works because it's so thin
Cons
- Limited protection with thinnest case
- Expensive for what you get
Some people prefer not to have a case on their phone or just want something that's very thin and offers minimal protection. If you're that type of person, a Totallee case may just be what you're looking for.
There are a couple of models to choose from, with the Minimal case billed as the world's thinnest iPhone case; it's almost paper-thin. It comes in multiple color options.
The case costs $35, which seems like a lot considering how thin it is, but it is eco-friendly (it's compostable) and does have a raised "lip" around the camera that prevents damage to the camera lens, Totallee says.
Totallee also makes a very slim clear TPU case, the "clear soft" that offers a little more protection for the $35 (there's also a new model with MagSafe for $39). I like that one better in some ways -- it does have a little more grip to its finish -- but it is slightly thicker.
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Factors to consider when buying an iPhone 16 case
MagSafe support -- or not?
You might be able to save a little money by getting a case that doesn't have MagSafe support (the metal ring built into the case). I generally encourage people to spend the extra money for a MagSafe-enabled case because of the number of MagSafe accessories on the market, some of them quite useful.
Thin or thicker?
Some people like minimal cases that add little to no bulk to their iPhones, but the majority of people are looking for a case that offers good protection -- or even maximum protection. I tell people to find a case that's not too thick and maybe even pretty slim and that offers at least 6-foot drop protection (and good corner protection).
Do you want a clear case?
Clear cases are popular because they show off your phone (and its color). Clear cases, especially cheaper ones, can become less clear over time and slowly start to yellow. Many case makers now add UV protection to their clear cases to prevent yellowing.
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How we test the best iPhone 16 cases
Several of the cases on this list were previously available for the iPhone 15 models and we added them to the list based on our previous testing with the iPhone 15. Typically, we try to use the case on the phone for at least a day and make sure the buttons on the phone work properly with the case on. With some phone cases, we use them for several days or even weeks to see how they wear over time.
- Design: We evaluate the more superficial and cosmetic aspects of cases and consider how aesthetically pleasing they are because people sometimes buy cases solely for their colors and artwork.
- Durability: We look at how durable a case is, paying particular attention to corner and camera protection (raised corners on a case can help your phone survive face-down falls).
- Grip factor: We review the material the case is made of so we can talk about such factors as how grippy the phone feels in your hand and how protective the material is.
- Extra features: Some iPhone cases have extra features such as MagSafe, an integrated kickstand or grips, and, in the case of folio models, slots for storing credit cards and cash.
- Long-term testing: Although we don't do long-term testing for most cases, we do use some of the most popular cases for longer periods to gauge how they wear over time and see how well our phone holds up during accidental drops with the case on it. We don't do formal drop tests.
- Waterproof cases: Only a few fully waterproof cases are available, but If the case is supposed to be fully waterproof, we test it by submerging it in water.
We look at design features like the raised corners on this Otterbox case when we test the best iPhone cases.
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Other iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro cases we've tested
Wildflower cases During the past couple of years, Wildflower phone cases have risen in popularity. Collaborations with music festivals such as Coachella and influencers like Emma Chamberlin have helped the female-founded business gain visibility. Like Casetify, the company offers cases with a plethora of unique, eye-catching designs. However, none of its cases currently has a MagSafe option (you have to buy a ring to stick on the back on the case). That's not cool.
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iPhone 16 case FAQ
Is USB-C charging an issue with some cases?
With most phone cases, the cutout for the USB-C port is wide enough to allow you to use most USB-C charging cables. Some USB-C charging cables with particularly large heads may not fit certain cases. The USB-C charging cable included with the new iPhones has a relatively compact head.
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How protective of an iPhone 16 case should you buy?
I like cases that aren't too thick but offer decent drop protection, with a lip over the edge of the screen (sometimes referred to as a "screen bumper") and raised corners that help prevent your screen from cracking if your phone should fall face down. A folio case will more fully protect your screen.
The good news is that you don't have to buy a super-protective iPhone 16 case like the OtterBox Defender XT to get good protection. Most cases are reasonably thin and still offer at least 6-foot drop protection. I did include one very thin case on this list for folks who prefer minimal protection. Before you go with a case like that, just remember how much your phone costs. It is better than having no case at all. Make sure you get a sound, tempered glass screen protector for your iPhone 16 model to prevent deep scratches and safeguard the screen.
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Should I get a MagSafe case for my iPhone 16?
All the iPhone 16 models are equipped with Apple's MagSafe feature, which offers faster wireless charging with compatible chargers. It also supports optional accessories -- including the MagSafe wallet, mini wallets and various mounts -- that adhere magnetically to the back of your phone. Like the iPhone 15, the iPhone 16 has "an array of magnets" (Apple says they're recycled) embedded around a charging coil that can pull up to 15 watts of power.
If you want to use those MagSafe accessories without taking your phone out of its case, you need a phone case that's equipped with MagSafe support. The MagSafe symbol is a circle with a short pipe below it. You can see it on clear cases, but it's embedded on the inside of the case so if it's nontransparent, you'll only see it from the inside.
If you already have a MagSafe accessory -- or plan on buying MagSafe accessories in the future -- you'll want to get a MagSafe compatible case; it's a good option to have. With that in mind, the majority of the cases in this roundup are equipped with MagSafe.
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Are MagSafe cases more expensive?
In general, yes -- about $5-$10 more. Some more affordable MagSafe cases cost around $20, but most cost upward of $30. We see cases from certain companies that are essentially the same but one has MagSafe and the other doesn't, and the MagSafe version usually sells for $10 more. It may seem like a little too much to pay for something that doesn't seem like much of an upgrade, but in time MagSafe compatibility may command less of a "tax."
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